Efrain Escobedo

It’s Time for L.A. County to Update How it Governs to More Equitably Serve its 10 Million Residents

By Efrain Escobedo and David Levitus, Contributing Opinion WritersFebruary 26, 2023

To many, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors remains a powerful, yet mysterious body. For too long we’ve accepted that it can function a bit like Oz. If, as a county, we aspire to emerge a more equitable and just region after the throes of the pandemic – governance transformation is a critical step. COVID-19 shone a light on the inherent inequity in how all levels of government have made policy and investments that have intentionally left behind entire communities. Were we blind, blind folded or indifferent to these systemic inequities? Regardless of the impairment, transparency and participation or

Tampering with Census Participation Would be a Crime Under New Law

Sentinel News ServiceJuly 9, 2019

In Response to Efforts to Discourage Census Participation, California Moves to Protect the Census Count Before 2020 Sacramento, CA – As the Trump Administration actively works to intimidate millions from participating in the 2020 census, the California Senate Public Safety Committee today passed AB 1563: The Freedom to Count Act. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), aims to ensure that all Californians have access to accurate information about the census, and have the opportunity to participate in the census without fear of fraud, intimidation, or harm. “We cannot afford to lose the valuable resources and